high-tech hotel room frustration

The genius of Steve Jobs of Apple Computer is that he figured out how to make technology intuitive to the end user. The adventure that began with the first Macintosh in 1984 has led to leading edge products like iPhones, iPads, and iPods. You'd think everyone would get the point: intuitive is better, and if you need to read a manual to turn on the lights, or take a shower, you've hired the wrong designers. Contemporary hotel designers ... take note!

A client recently stayed at a brand new, super-sophisticated luxury hotel in Mexico City. He emailed me with a trip report. The following is based on some of of his observations, shared with permission.

How do you turn off the lights? When the controls to turn off lights, or close the blinds, are so sophisticated that even my two techie kids can't fully figure them out, it might mean a plain old light switch has its benefits.

If you need to read the manual to take a shower, something's very wrong. The fancy bathroom shower was so new and so fancy that it took us five minutes to figure out how to get the water working properly. There were three levers in the shower, just to control the shower and the hot/cold function. None were labeled. Each time you turned one lever, the other two seemed to be affected. It was like a comedy. One night my daughter finally gave up and said, “I'm taking a bath. I can't deal with this.”

Why can't you just dial “0” to phone the front desk? The hotel phone had a LCD display. This one was like a computer interface. It glowed in the dark. In orange. To call down to the porter took me five minutes to find the right button.

It shouldn't be an adventure just to take the elevator. The hotel has installed new elevator controls. They require first that the passenger push buttons for the floor to which they wish to take the elevator. The following steps are required to actually get the elevator to work:

• approach the elevator
  
• find your electronic room key card and wave in front of sensor pad
  
• push the required floor buttons
  
• follow the electronic display to your elevator (e.g., “elevator M to the left”)
  
• enter the elevator, and don't do anything — it will take you to your floor

The inside of the elevator had no buttons at all, and the process was confusing to some guests. I saw guests on two occasions enter an open elevator and look for buttons to press. Nothing happened; there are no buttons. They tried talking to the elevator, saying things like “Go ” and “Close doors.” One guest clapped his hands, thinking the elevator might be sound activated. Hilarious, unless you were the passenger who felt like a fool.


Thought you might appreciate this tale of frustration!

luxury hotel (search here on Google)

copyright (c) 2011 by David Ourisman LLC. All rights reserved. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.
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Tahiti vacation guide

Moon Travel Guides have been published for a vast array of destinations; there are literally dozens of destinations available. I was offered the opportunity to review the Moon Handbook Tahiti and received a review copy that was thoughtfully autographed by the author, David Stanley. This encyclopedic guide to the islands of French Polynesia would be especially useful to travelers wanting to visit the smaller and less-visited islands, as there does not seem to be a spot that Stanley has left unexplored in his travels. Readers will learn about the history and geographical highlights of each island along with a discussion of attractions, sports and recreation, accommodations, and food — as well as logistical details on how to get there and how to get around once one has arrived.

One of the most useful features of the book is a discussion of various accommodations available to visitors. Stanley's site inspections not only discuss the quality of the rooms but provides invaluable information about the quality of the beach and snorkeling at various resorts as well as alternate nearby dining possibilities. Example: "The Sofitel Moorea la Ora Beach Resort ... sits on one of the finest beaches on the island with a splendid view of Tahiti (but poor snorkeling)." However, the book (just published in February 2011) is not up to date. The cyclone that hit Bora Bora a year earlier destroyed the Bora Bora Lagoon Resort and severely delayed the renovation of Hotel Bora Bora; this information is not reflected in his discussion of these two Bora Bora resorts.

If you're planning Tahiti, Bora Bora, Moorea, or any of the other islands of French Polynesia, Stanley's Tahiti vacation guide pulls together a wealth of knowledge into one comprehensive handbook.


Tahiti vacation (search here on Google)

copyright (c) 2011 by David Ourisman LLC. All rights reserved. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.
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two couples save 25% in Hawaii

When two couples vacation together, it's possible to enjoy significant savings while experiencing the ultimate in luxury. Each of the Four Seasons resorts in Hawaii is currently offering a program that includes 50% off the second room. You can luxuriate at the best resorts in Hawaii ... and this promotion will stretch your dollars.

And to make the deal even better, you'll receive the following complimentary amenities for each room — even the half-price room! — by making your booking through a Four Seasons Preferred Partner:

• Daily full American breakfast for two through in-Room Dining or in the hotel restaurant (including buffets)
  
• Lunch for two once during stay (up to $85, excluding gratuity and alcohol)
  
• Upgrade of one category, based on availability at time of check-in (excluding signature suites and villas)
  
• Complimentary high-speed internet for all suite bookings

Which Hawaiian island beckons you? On the Big Island, you'll witness an other-worldly lava rock landscape on your way to the idyllic beach resort at Four Seasons Hualalai and perhaps visit Hawaii's only active volcano with a lava flow into the sea. Maui offers beautiful beaches and great shopping, while laid-back Lana'i (an island without a single traffic light) offers visitors a taste of Hawaii before it was discovered by the developers.

Four Seasons Preferred Partner (search here on Google)

Le Meurice | guaranteed upgrade in March

Le Meurice has the best location in Paris for the leisure traveler. As you can see in the photograph above, it is right next to the Jardins des Tuileries, the large park in the center of Paris that runs alongside the Seine between the Louvre and the Place de la Corcorde. Step outside the door of Le Meurice, and you're already in the center of Paris. You're just a short stroll across the gardens to the Musée d'Orsay, or a short walk to the east to get to the Louvre and Notre Dame.

Newly renovated in 2007, the hotel has a contemporary elegance that still feels very Parisian. With a fresh design by Philippe Starck, the guest rooms are large and comfortable, the bar has a unique ceiling, and the three-star Michelin restaurant has a traditional elegance. The best shops of Paris are just minutes away as well.

Virtuoso guests receive a confirmed upgrade at time of booking from March 9th to 31st, 2011 as well as the rest of the Virtuoso amenities: a 10% discount off the BAR, daily American breakfast for two in the restaurant or by room service, and even a complimentary airport transfer when booking a Superior Suite or above. Just make your reservation through a Virtuoso luxury travel consultant.


Le Meurice (search here on Google)

copyright (c) 2011 by David Ourisman LLC. All rights reserved. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.
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